"We do not want
the inmates to hear each other speak, but we cannot help if they
hear each other scream."

Charles
Lucas, De la Reforme des Prisons

With corrupt
guards beating inmates, small confining cells, strenous labor, and the
absense of education, the wanted reforms were lacking in French prisons
and inmates had little to do to fight back. Contrary to popular belief,
prison riots were not a common occurance. Many people would like to
believe that the prisoners often banded together and fought against
the authority of the guards, but in fact, the normal reaction to prison
life was nervous breakdown or suicude (O'Brien). Because of the atrocious
conditions within the prisons walls, inmates adjusted to their new life
by forming new subcultures. These methods of adjustment included a new
vocabulary, symbols, and forms of interaction and formations of social
hierarchy.